Skull-shaping means



Dec. 6,y 1927.

B. BILLET ET AL.

SKULL SHAPING MEANS l v vl Filed April 2o. 192e Patented Dec. 6, 1927.

UNITED s'ra'rlgzpsy BARNEY BILLET AND SAMUEL HEILWEIL, F NEW YORK, N. Y.; SAID HEILWEIL AS- SIGNOR T0 SAID BILLET.

SKULL-SHAPING MEANS.

Application ala April 2c, 192s. serial no. 103,225.

Our present invention relates to the treatment ofanimal skins, and has particular ,reference to a method of shaping and treating the skins inthe manufacture of scarfs.

5- It is an object of the invention to provide a method for shapinganimal skins to stimulate animals heads, and, coordinately our in vention involves the apparatus with which Weaccomplish this result.

Where We have attempted to shape an animal skin in the manner specified by Wetting the skin and stretching it upon a Wooden mold, We have found it necessary to leave the skin upon the molds for periods as long as two days, so that-the Woodenv mold might dry. It isan object of the' present invention to provide an" apparatus Which will permit the shaping of the skins in a much more etlicient, economical, and quicker manner, With the result that great savlngs'are effected both in labor and in time.

A feature of theinvention lies in provid-- ing a.- mold similar to the Wooden mold referred to, but having a surface which is nonabsorbtive; and in a preferred embodiment the mold is constructed o-f metal.

Another featurel of the invention lies inf associating With the mold means for elec- 'trically heating the mold at predetermined intervals so that the drying of the skin can be still further facilitated.

Another feature of the invention lies in providing a clamping device which bears a complementary relation to the mold and Whichis designed to grip the skin from the outside, after the skin has been applied to the mold, so as to facilitate the correct configuration of the finished article. Our invention contemplates the provision of a clamp of this character Which-Will efficiently fulfill the functions which have been heretofore fulfilled b a plurality of ordinary clips and which wil in addition have a more efficient effect in determining the final contour vides this clamp-of metallic material so that the heat from the mold will be transmitted to the-clamp and thereby enhance its effect.

Heretofore, it has been-customary to crumple a mass of paper aboutthe mold,l and thereupon apply an adhesive or binder which would subsequently cause the paper to adhere to the inside of the skin and thereby serve as a linin member. This method has been beset wit many disadvantages. The proper of the skin. Al preferred embodiment proi crumpling of the paper has necessitated`l a ycertain skill, the subsequent application of the binder has necessitated an extra step, an excessive amount of lining material has been necessary, and the finished lining has often been uneven and detrimental to the final quality of the article. It is another obj ect of the invention to provide a method of manufacture which will obviate these disadvantages and which will in addition embody certain other advantages which Will effect greater economy and efficiency.

Accordingly, another feature of our invention lies in preforming certain lining members which may be applied over the mold Without any particular skill, and Which are so constructed as to necessitate no extra step of binder application.. Although we have found it quite satisfactory to utilize heavy paper, oil board, or even rubber, nevertheless .We prefer to utilize a burlap material for the manufacture of these preformed lining members; and a feature of our invention lies in impregnating the lining member with a binding material which Will not only serve to retain the shape of the lining member, but which ,will subsequently become available for binding purposes. Another feature of our invention lies in utilizing a binder which is capable of softening or otherwise becoming effective upon the application of heat or moisture, whereby the sub- `1,651,436I 4Pari-:1W oFiFlcl-z.

sequent association with the heated mold y and the moistened skin Will render the binder effective for its contemplated purpose. Another feature 'of our invention lies in constructingthe mold of a material which is capable of rapid heating and cooling, Whereby not only the Yspeed of manufacture-is increased, but whereby the binder will have no-'opportunity`to be dissipated in the moisture of the skin, and the quicker cooling will effect and enhance the correct 'shrinkage ofy the skin'over the mold.

For the -attainment of the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter. appear or be pointed out, We have illustrated one embodiment of our invention in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mold constructed in accordance With our invention, and attached in a preferred manner to a supporting ledge or table;

- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a clamping evice constructed to constitute a cominstaan plernentary` element with respect to a mold;

Fig. 3 is a side view partly in section, showing the lining member, the skin and the clamping device in relative association with the mold;

Fig. d is a perspective view of a lining member, a portion thereof being broken away for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 5 is a top plan of another embodiment of a clamping device; and

Fig. 6 is a section on line` 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1 we have shown a mold which comprises a. body portion 10, and a snoutshaped end which consists of a medial bridge portion 11, a substantially iat and attenuated base 12, and rear walls 13 shaped to the conguration of the eye-sockets ot an animals head. More particularly, the walls 13 are forwardly concave, and they join and merge with the side walls 1l ot the bridge portion 11. The latter slants downwardly from the body portion 10 to the tip of the mold 15, and the base 12 is similarly pointed toward the outer end of the mold so that the base 12 and the walls 14 conform substantially to the sha-pe of the cheeks of an animals head. Attached to the rear end of the mold is a supporting bracket which comprises an upstanding arm 16, and an offset arm 17 carried at the end ot the arm 16 and projecting rearwardly and perpendicularly therefrom. The arm 17 is adapted for attachment to a supporting ledge in such a manner that the mold will project outwardly from the ledge and slightly below it, whereby the mold will be freely accessible from all directions.

We prefer to provide the mold with heating coils 26, and the binding terminals olf an electric contact are arranged to project rearwardly from the mold through the arm 16 into the space underlying the arm 17. These terminals 18 are clearly shown in Fig. 3, and it will be observed that the arm 17 is suiliciently offset with respect to the mold that the terminals 18 are freely accessible underneath the ledge. Y

Referring now to Fig. 4, it will be observed that we have shown a lining member which is suitably shaped, preferably of burlap impregnated with a binder, so as to be applicable over the snout-shaped end of the mold. The lining member has a snoutshaped end 19 and a rearwardly projecting body portion 20. The" lining member is hollow as may be readily understood, and the impregnated binding material permits it to hold its shape indefinitely.

In Fig. 2 We have illustrated one form of clamping device, and it will be observed that it comprises two juxtaposed jaws 21 with which a spring clamp 22, or equivalent device is adapted to engage. Each jaw 21 is suitably shaped to conform substantially with one of the cheeks of the mold. Thus, eachA to the walls 13 and 14. In .the embodiment shown, we have illustrated the spring clam 22 as an inverted U-shaped member extening over the walls 24, and designed to hold the jaws yieldably together., That is, they jaws are spreadable and after they have been applied to the mold, the spring 22 will pinch them to the bridge portion 11.

Referring now to Fig. 3, it will be observed that in carrying out our invention, we first apply the 'lining member or mask 20 to the mold 10. We then gather one end of the skin to be shaped so as to form a tubular closedY end portion which may be moistened and then stretched over the mask 20. We have indicated an illustrative skin so ap# plied by the reference numeral 25. After the skin has been applied, we apply the cla...ping device shown in Fig. 2, and it will be observed that this device will retain the closed portion of the skin in close conformity with the snout-shaped end of the mold.

It will be readily understood-that the application of heat to the mold is entirely optional. The fact that the mold has a surface which will not absorb moisture will in itself permit speedier drying of the skin than would be thecase if the mold were made of an absorbtive material such as wood. It no heat is applied to the mold. we may utilize a binder in the mask 2O which will become more effective under the application of moisture. ln suoli an event, the application of the moist skin to the mold will of itself render `the binding medium effective, and cause the lining member 20 -to adhere to' the inside of the skin as the latter dries. After the skin is entirely dry, the clamping device is removed, the skin withdrawn, and thereafter it may be suitably nished olif by insorting artilicial eyes, or byV taking any such other steps as may be necessary.

In a preferred method of carrying out our invention, we apply heat to the skin by making a suitable attachment ofconducting wires to the binding posts 18. Thus the mold will not only remain unaliected by the moisture, but the applied heat will speed up the 'dryin of the skin, and some of the hea-t will be transmitted thromgh the skin to the clamping device which will in turn facilitate the drying process. We have found it satisfactory to heat the mold for as short a time as ten minutes. By then removing the conducting wires, we find that the mold cools very rapidly, and in cooling it causes more effective shrinking of the skin into a conformity with the mold. After vten more minutes have elapsed, we are enabled to re- .,move` the skin in a perfectly dry and comsize, these molds being arranged one next to' the other along a ledge of the character shown in Fig. 1. A single operator may quickly apply the maskto a mold, apply the skin and the clamping device, and attach the electric conducting wires. After he has accomplished this much, he may devote his attention to the next I nold and repeat the `-steps at that place. In the course of about ten minu-tes he can have rendered operative each of the thirty molds, and he is then in a position to return to the first and disconnect the conducting wires. Moreover, the conducting wires may do double duty by serving to heat other molds lwhile certain moldsare cooling.y

Thus, if another set of mol-ds, say of a different size` are arrangedalong the opposite edge of the ledge, the same Worker may apply skins thereto and simultaneously disconnect one of the first set of molds from the electric current and apply the current to one ofthe second set. After he is through applying tbe skins to the .second set, he may returnto the very first mold ofthe first set and find the skin entirelycooled and dry and ready vfor removal. The saving in time and labor effected by our invention is clearly obvious.

)In Fiv's. 5 and 6 of the drawing we show a bm'odied embodiment of the clamping means in which these means comprise two elements 31 substantially alike and pivoted together as shown at 32. Each of the elements 31 has its free end bent as shown at 33 solas to permit this member to force the skin into contact with the skull form and is further provided with a downwardly extending portion 34 for this same purpose, from 'the end of which extends the outwardly extending lug or flange 35. When the clamping members are caused to assume their closed position in connection with the skin and skull mold as shown e t Fig. 6, they are held in this position by the wedge slide 36 lfrom the conver ing outer edges of which extend upwardly t e walls 37 and the 1nthereto.

wardly bent overhanging 'flanges 38 arranged' to engage about the flanges 35. As the wedge slide 36 is moved inwardly, which is done automatically by the spiral spring 40. one end of which 41 is connected with any desired portion of the apparatus, the clamping members 31-31 will not only be forced into clamping association, but will be so held until released, and for these purposes, the slide 86 is provided with. adownwa'rdly projecting lug 41 which can be manually engagedand moved against the action of the spring 40 to permit the members 31 to move apart and to be released from the skinand the mold.

Having thus described our invention and illustrated its use, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mold for shaping animal skins to simulate an animals head, a body portion comprising a snout-shaped end having recesses defining the eye-sockets, and a clamp comprising juxtaposed jaws lwhich conform in shape to the walls of said recesses.

2. In a mold for shaping animal skins to simulate an animals head, a body portion comprising a snout-shaped'end having recesses defining the eyeesockets, and a clamp comprising juxtaposed jaws which conform in shape t-o the walls of said recesses,-said clamp being provided with resilient means for yieldably holding them in position within said recesses. l

3. ,In a mold for shaping an animal skin to a predetermined contour. a body portion Ahaving a suitablyconfigured portion adapt- `ed to receive the skin theroeover, and a sprmg clamp removably engageabl'e over said configured portlon and conforming 1n shape .4. In a mold for shaping an animal skin to the contour of an animals head, a body portion having a` snout-shaped end which comprises a base, a medialwall, and rear transverse walls defining eye-sockets and cheeks, and a complementary removably engageable over said end and comprising portions which conform 1n shape to said eye-sockets:

5. Ir a mold for shaping an animal skin .to theh contour of an animals head, a bodyl portion having a snout-shaped end which comprises a base, a medial wall, and rear transverse walls defining eye-sockets 'and cheeks, and a complementary spring clamp removably engageable over said end and comprising juxtaposed jaws having configurations which permit them to engage snugly and simultaneously with said base and walls.

6. The combination with a mold having a forwardly projecting snoutshaped portion, of an attac ling mold and carried by the rear end thereof and comprising a rearwardly extending offset portion, electrical heating elements associbracket supporting saidsov spring clamp ated with the mold, and binding terminals therefor entending rearwardly and spaced from the odset portion, whereby the latter may be attached to a table top to render the congured portion and the terminals freely accessible Afrom the front and rear respecv tively.

lll

7. lThe method of shaping" animal skins to simulate an animals head, which comprises applying a lining to a snout-shaped mold, coating the lining with a binder Whose etfectiveness increases with heat, applying the skin to the mold, and heating the mold to cause binding ofthe lining to the skin.

8. The method of shaping an animalskin to simulate an animals head, which comprises applying to a snout-shaped mold a lining which is impregnated with a binder Whose eilectiveness increases with moisture, wetting the skin, and applying the skin to the mold whereby binding of the lining to the skin will be ellected.

9. The method of shaping an animal skin to simulate an animals head, which comprises preshaping. a liningl to conform with a snout-shaped mold, applying the lining to the mold, coating the lining with a binding material, and applying the 'skin to the mold to bind the lining Within it.

10. rlhe method of shaping an animal skin to simulate an animals head, which comprises preshaping alining into the form of a mask conforming to a snout-shaped mold, impregnating the lining with a binder whose effectiveness increases with applied heat, applying the lining and skin successively to the mold, and heating the latter to bind the lining to the skin. Y

11. The method of shaping an animal skin to simulate an animals head, Which com` prises impregnating a flexible lining material with a binder to impart form-retaining sti li'- ness to the material, shaping the latter to form a mask, applying the latter to a mold conforming therewith applying the skin tliereover, and causing the impregnated binder to become effective to bind the mask to the skin.

l2. In a method of shaping an animal skin tothe shape of an animals head, the step or steps which comprise preshaping a lining material into the form of head desired` and then applying the latter to a mold conforming therewith,

Lessines i3. ln a method of shaping an animal skin to the shape of an animals head, the step or` steps `which comprise impregnating flexible lining material With'a binder Which imparts ber, applying said member to a mold, apply- '7 ing theskin thereover, and heating the mold to cause the binder to become effective in binding the member to the skin.

l5. ln a method of shaping an animal skin to the shape of an animals head, the step or steps which comprise impregnating a flexible lining material with a .binder which softens upon being moistened and which imparts 'form-retaining stillness to the material, shaping the material to form a mask-like lining member, wetting the skin, and causing the skin to dry and shrink over saidmember whereby the moisture will cause binding of the member to the skin.

16. ln a method of shaping an animal skin to the shape of an animals head, the step or steps which comprise impregnating a burlap material with a binder Which imparts formretaining stiffness to the material, and then shaping the material to form a mask-like lin'- ing member.

17. For use with an animal skin shaped to simulate an animals head, a pre-formed mask-like lining member impregnated with a binder which imparts sulilcient stillness to the member to render it selfsust`aining.

18. For use with an animal skin shapedto simulate an animals head, a pre-formed mask-like liningmember impregnated with a binder which imparts sutiicient stiness to the member to render vit self-sustaining, said binder being softenable whereby the lining member may be secured within the skin by applying the latter thereover and softening the binder.

ln Witness whereof, We have hereuntosigned our names.

BARNEY BILLET. SAMUEL HEILWEIL. 

